Visiting Austin

Considered the cultural hub of Texas, Austin has become a magnet for tech start-ups, festivals and fashion. Because there are so many career opportunities, Austin has become the fastest growing major city in the United States.

Despite massive growth, Austin maintains a close-knit feeling. Whether it’s listening to live music, enjoying a pop-up art show or attending a film festival, Austin’s entertainment scene means there is always something fun and exciting to do.

There are plenty of outdoor activities for those looking for some fresh air. Take a bike ride through Veloway Park or paddleboard at Zilker Park. Don’t forget to visit the famous Congress Avenue Bridge to get a good view of the bats that fly out at sunset.

Don’t forget to try some good old-fashioned Texas barbecue or Tex-Mex. Explore the ’mom and pop’ boutiques. Watch as the sun sets over the rolling hill country and between the buildings of the iconic Austin skyline.

Visiting Austin During Conference

We hope you are excited as we are for the upcoming National Conference in Austin.

We are lucky that the Hilton Austin is close to so many popular attractions and restaurants but please keep in mind traffic in downtown Austin can be difficult. Parking in Austin, like in any other city, can get a bit pricey. In addition, the popular Austin City Limits Festival (ACL) will be occurring at the same time as Conference so the city will be heavily populated. With the influx of people in the surrounding area cabs, Uber, Lyft and other ride-sharing companies will also be more costly than usual. We encourage walking in pairs as much as possible. Also, look outside of the box for ways to get around Austin, such Austin’s CapMetro bus system.

The Conference room block rate is $219 per night for singles, doubles, triples and quads rooms. The hotel room reservation deadline is Sept. 17. It is best if you book a room at the Hilton but if you wish to stay somewhere else try to avoid booking popular hotels and instead look for other options through HomeAway or AirBnb. Please keep in mind that ACL is not just a local festival but a national one. People from all over United States will be booking anything near the events of the festival, including the Hilton, so try booking your accommodations as soon as possible, spaces will go quickly!

The average temperature in Austin in October ranges from 79–84 degrees Fahrenheit (26 - 29 degrees Celsius). However, weather in Texas this time of year is very unpredictable and it can get much warmer than predicted. We recommend that you prepare for warm to hot weather.